The summer months in San Diego kicked off with two exciting Intersections concert series performances at UC San Diego Park & Market. The first, “Chaldean to Classical: Through the Lens of Luay Yousif & Fred Benedetti,” convened the talents of renowned Chaldean musician Luay Yousif and esteemed classical guitarist Fred Benedetti to showcase a unique blend of Chaldean and classical music, taking the audience on a musical journey through the lens of two extraordinary musicians.
Yousif’s mastery of traditional Chaldean instruments mesmerized the crowd with soulful melodies, rich with cultural nuances. Meanwhile, Benedetti’s proficiency in classical guitar added a layer of depth. The collaboration fused traditional Chaldean sounds with the elegance of classical music, creating a memorable experience for guests.
“Chaldean to Classical” celebrated the power of music as a universal language and served as a bridge between different cultures and musical traditions. Yousif and Benedetti not only entertained but also educated audience members about the beauty and diversity of Chaldean and classical music, fostering an appreciation and understanding across genres and cultures.
In June, the Guggenheim Theatre at Park & Market hosted The Alison Brown Quintet for “Bluegrass: Bending It With Folk and Jazz”. The sold-out event showcased the exceptional talent and innovation of the quintet, led by GRAMMY Award-winning banjoist Alison Brown, who grew up in La Jolla.
Combining the rich traditions of bluegrass with elements of folk and jazz, the performance delivered a musical adventure for concert guests. Hundreds of audience members were treated to a diverse collection of original compositions and reimagined classics that demonstrated the versatility and creativity of the Alison Brown Quintet.
The Intersections series is curated by Andrew Waltz, director of arts management at UC San Diego Park & Market, and hosted by UC San Diego and New York-based violinist Yale Strom, one of the world’s leading ethnographer-artists of klezmer and Romani music and history.
Future Intersections events are listed online. For more information about creative, cultural, and civic engagement collaborations, or about Intersections at Park & Market, please contact Andrew Waltz at awaltz@ucsd.edu. For more information about other upcoming events at Park & Market, please visit our Events page.